AFTER 50 YEARS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1927, Page 4

AFTER 50 YEARS.

golden jubilee dinner. WESTLAND COUNTY CELEBRATION.

The Westland Comity Council which lists Imh-ii fifty years in existence celebrated its Ooltlen Jubilee yesterday evening at a dinner at Preston's Rooms. Kevell St. There was a representative Catherine present. 'l'lie Westland County Chairman (Air Win. Jet-

fries) presided and tliu.se present included the Hon AV. Mclntyre AI L.C.. Hon 11. 1.. .Michel M.L.C.. Air T. K. Y. Seddon. Alember for Westland and Air O. A. Perry (M.ayor of Hokitika), the gathering numbering over forty.

A very substantial dinner was provided by Airs Preston, the tables being well laden and the requirements of the guests were well looked after. Air C. Ross’ Orchestra supplied pleasing musical interludes during the evening. At the conclusion of the dinner an adjournment for ten minutes was made and tin 1 the assemblage gathered together again when a pleasant couple of hours wtis spent in toasts and responses. The toast of "The King'’ was duly honoured. LIST OF APOLOGIES. From Hon. AV. Downie Stewart.. Acting-Prime Alinister. thanking Council for invitation to dinner marking occasion of Golden Jubilee of the County, regretting could not be present at same, conveying to Councillors best wishes for successful celebration. From Hon. A. D. McLeod, asking Council accept thanks For invitation to Jubilee, regretting impossible to accept, same. From Hon. G. J. Anderson, regretting it impossible to attend Jubilee of Council, but conveying best wishes for same. From Hon. It. F. Bollard, thanking Council for invitation to he present at Golden Jubilee of Council, regretting that engagements in AVellington will prevent attendance at same.

From Hon. F. J. RtJleston. advising unable attend dinner marking occasion of Golden Jubilee of County, conveying best wishes for successful function. From Hon. J. A. Young, thanking Council for invitation attend official dinner in honour of occasion of Jubilee of Westland County, asking Council to accept apologies and accept congratulations on progress County is making under Chairman and Fellow Councillors.

From Hon. B. A. Wright, regretting uniiH'e to accept invitation of Council to a dinner, to mark occasion of Golden Jubilee of Westland County. From Hon. Postmaster-General, ao , knowledging receipt invitation to din- , nor to mark occasion of Golden Jubilee of the County, regretting owing to other engagements on that date, im- | possible to attend. I From Hon. K. S. Williams, nokuowledging invitation to Jubilee dinner of . the' Council, and regretting engagements ahead prevented attendance: also wishing County of AYestland ml j success.

From Hon. O. Hawken. thanking Council for kind invitation to dinner to celebrate Golden Jubilee nl Westland County, and regretting that prior engagements will preclude acceptance of same, wishing the gathering every success. From 11. E. Holland. Esq.. .M.P.. thanking Council for invitation to be present at Jubilee dinner, otieiing Council hearty congrutd'atious, regretting impossible to attend, hut advising having asked -Mr J. O Brieu. ex-AI.P.. to speak on behalf, asking if same could he arranged accordingly. From R. P. Hudson, lvt|., M.P., lgrel.ting unable to accept kind invitation of Westland County to dinner

owin'.; to prior congratulatin':!; Council on Jubilee. From A. At. Carroll, Fsi|., Chairman Inangahua County Council, acknowledging invitation to Golden Jubilee of Council. regretting unable t' lie present at dinner in honour of the occasion. From 11. AV. Suiullo, Esq.. Stafford cx-Conncillor, thanking Council foi invitation to Jubilee dinner, but o-.vinj: to ago and health conditions, unabli to attend. From Town Clerk, Westport. re-

"retting Mayor, Councillors anil Towii Clerk, miabie to attend .Jubilee celebrations. extending hearty congratulations and best wishes for lutuire sucees sol' CotincJ . From U. E. Cranston, Esq.. Well inston. hearty thanks for your telegram of welcome and imitation to Jubilee dinner, ltegret T cannot leave Wcl|inoton in time to attend. Please convey my compliments and congraLulatinns to the Council. f rom It. Mullen Esq.. County Clerk, Westport, hearty congratulations Westland Council attaining Golden Jubilee. Wish function every success. especially towards advocating completion West-

port-Grey road. Additional apologies were received from .Messrs W. I’ariitt, J. O’Brien, A. A. Andrewes, H. A. Watkinson. ,j. A. Murdoch, T>. Bavbutt. 1). Archer. McGrath. A. Spiers. R. Wells. Mr Jeffries then took the opportunity of welcoming file guests, extending a soecial welcome to the Mon. Mi - t a tyre and Air Ed. Powell (Chairman of Bailor County Council) who had come from Westport to attend the Catherine; that evening in connection with the "Oth. birthday, or golden, jubilee of the Westland Comity Council. Mi- 0. A. Perry (Mayor of Hokitika) in proposing the toast of the Westland County Council said fifty years was a long wav to go hack. He had not known till that evening that Mr H. W. Sandlc. of Stafford had been n member of the first County Council. The business of a County Council was to receive an amount of money and to spend it. Throughout the district the roads and bridges were a credit to the Westland County Council. The list of County Chairmen was known to most o! the older inhabitants. They had been men of mark and of ability. One had made his special mark (the Hon R. J. Sodihm) as Prime Minister of Now Zealand. There was no doubt that the experience gained on the local bodies were a training ground for higher offices in the miblie service of tlie country. The County Council which took the.nlaco of the Provincial Council had carried on the work with success. This was the jubilee of the Council and lie thought the Council well deserved their congratulations on their achievements during the past fifty years. A great, amount of work had been carried out and the members of the Council deserved tlt,o thanks and confidence of the community for the services they had so excellently rendered. He asked them to rise and join in the toast lie had proposed. A PRESENTATION. .Mr Bernard Ward said that as a member of the Council lie felt very pleased at the complimentary remarks of the mover of the toast. To-night they wanted to mcmorali.se that, gathering by making a presentation to the County Chairman of a gold Albert made of West Coast, gold obtained from Slip Hill. It was obtained when the Council were repairing Slip Hill, sluicing away the hillside to widen the roadway at that point. which had caused considerable trouble. In sluicing away the hillside they had taken care not to lose any gold that happened to ho there and the presentation that evening was made from the gold obtained in those sluicing operations. The members of the Council had deemed it fitting to mark the jubilee by making a presentation to the Chairman, and he

had been entrusted with the task. In doing so lie wished to congratulate Mr Jeffries on being Chairman on the present auspicious occasion. He fills the position with honor, with dignity, and with a firm hand. In asking for the acceptance of the gold Albert by Air Jeffries from his fellow members, if he did not. wear it himself it would do for his eldest son (laughter). Tie had eery great pleasure in asking acceptance and trusted that ho would live in peace for many years to wear it as a memento of his connection with the Westland County Council.

Mr W. Jeffries said he must confess he was taken aback at the presentation, which he accented with very great pride and very great honor. He would be proud to remember the golden jubilee and the occasion of his second occu-

pancy of the County chair. He deeply appreciated the presentation made and would ever value their handsome present, and the kindly words that had been spoken by Air Ward in making iho presentation. Air Jeffries continuing thanked the Alayor for the toast lie bail proposed and the way it. bad been honoured. He took it not so much for himself as. for the members ol the Council who bad carried on their du- ! ies so success fully. Mr Jell lies then referred to some of the incidents of the early stages of the formation of l lie County Couneil and ment ion being made of the first members of the Council. Reference was made that the first County Cleric was H. Richardson Rite, (ben Afr Win. Bell, who was acting ••lerk. and in October IS!U Mr 0. J. Evans was appointed and be lias served in that office continuously for 36 years, and bo could be fairly termed the doyen of County Clerks. (Applause). Mr Jeffries proceeded to refer to the opening finances of the Council in those early days, and read a number oT interesting figures. He pointed out that the Westland County Council is the largest County in New Zealand. Tt lias a population of 1100; it lms !G3 miles of roads anti 100 miles of tracks. It's rate is ltd in the £on

capital value. It was the policy of the Conned members to give of their very best service. That was the reason why to-day the district, was reaping the harvest of good service in the past. There has dovobqieil In this County and in other parts of tilt*: Dominion a fine stamp of men who have helped to carry on the business of tile country so successfully. Referring to the personnel of the present Council lie said that

every man was giving of bis best for the advancement of the district. Ibe same remarks also referred to the stall. They bad an excellent stall' which it would lie liitnl t-o beat. The internal working of the Couneil was exceptional. They bad ill Mr Evans an officer of undoubted merit and untiring, energy, who had laboured unceasingly to advance the best interest,s of the Council. Personally he (Mr Jell t ies) had benefited greatly bv the information he had received from Mr Evans, especially in connect inn with County law. and in

every other possible way had received j every assistance. During his eoiiiieci lion i\ith the Council he had received every assistance from the older memj hers of the Council and lie' instanced | specially Mr Duff and Mr Ward in ! such particular. He was greatly in- ! drilled to the advice they had give! him. He honed as the time goes or that they would continue to have mci ■of the same high standard to carry oi I the work of the Council. He thankee them one and all for their reeeptioi oi the toast and the kind healing givci : him.

! Tur (liairinan proposed the ton si of i "The Parliament of New Zealand." | Hon W. .Melutvre, replying said lie was really the baby of the Legislative J Council, both in years and experience, i After five years’ experience as a mem- ; her of the I'pper House lie was con- ! vinced that, it formed a very useful 1 part of the legislature of this country. ; fie had been able while a member of | the Council in olaer the position of ilie ' real miner before member*. He was ' still a coal miner, and had been working in the mine as late as Saturday last. fie was pleased to be presold ns a memher of the Buller County Couneil and as a Legislative ('-iimi-il-j lor. They annrecialed the visit of the | Westland Coimtv Chairman, if* Clerk j and Overseer at the Buller Jubilee j gathering. As far as County Councils J were concerned, the Public Works poj lire of the Government was of the ■ most concern. There was no doubt j that the Westland 'County Council was in a very lucky position. He was stir- ! prised to hear the Westland County Irate was ltd in the pound on capital value, lu Buller it was (TJd on the ! unimproved value. Referring to the j Parliament of New Zealand he fell thev would all agree that it would well hear comparison with any other I Parliament. He (''included by expressing appreciation of the kind remarks of the pioposer. anti the pleasure his visit to Hokitika had given I him. j Hon H. J.. Aliehel M.L.C.. replying I said lie lelt that there was a growing conclusion that Hie l’poor House filled a very valuable position in the -Parliament of this country. The public have no knowledge of the enormous amount of work done by Legislative Councillors m committee work. An immense amount of revising worlc is done by tire Lpper House. He agreed with Hou Alelntvre that there were no party politics in the Council. At one time he had said that he wits of the opinion that the rimer House should he mended or ended, hut he had modified that opinion, not because he was now a member of that Couneil. hut Ihv ettttse he felt that it served a very useful purpose. He took the opportunity of congratulating Air Jeffries on being Chairman of the Council <m its jubilee. As a citizen of the district he recognised the very valuable services rendered to the eomniunitv by the members of tile Most land County ( mined and he also took the opportunity of voicing ltis appreciation of the very splendid work done by the chief executive officer (Mr Evans). Though he did not always agree eye to e\e with all he did, he recognised the splendid unselfish services he rendered to the district, which fully deserved the recognition given that evening.

Mi I. K. I . Seddon, M. P,, desired to extend ids congratulations to tlie Westland County Council on attaining its golden jubilee. He referred to the former Chairmen of the Council, proceeding to suggest that Mr Bvans should write the biographies of former members of the Council "'hieli would form a very interesting record of the early West Coast. Referring to Parliament, ho said after his experience, lie felt, that the Upper House served a useful purpose, especially in connection with hasty legislation. The House last session put through 9-1 Acts. Tt was a lot of law. it may he good daw or it may be had law. hut it meant a lot of work. Reference was made to the work of the Committees of the House, the happy manner in which the Premier had carried through the session, and his success as representative of New Zealand at the Imperial Conference. which promises to have very happy results for the whole of the Empire. Mr Seddon in conclusion thanked tho proposer of the toast and those present for the manner they had received it.

Mr P). Ward (Arahurn) proposed the toast of “Ex-Councillors.” During the past fifty years there had been many changes in the personnel. Some had been removed bv death, and some by the hands of the ratepayers. Reference was made to the nhotos of former members of the Council notable among which was that of the late Rt. Hon.

R. ,T. Seddon. There were many other notable men among tlio list of former members. At the Council table there are many incidents that occurred that revealed the humour of the eldest members, and the speaker repeated several that those present fully enjoyed. Ho regretted that Air Sandle a very old member was not present that evening. but he was glad to see Messrs A. Clifton and IT. Blytli present on this occasion. He asked them to honour tlio toast he had pleasure in proposi ii <l. Mr rr. Blytli replying thanked the Chairman for the opportunity of being present. It was some 126 yen is ago since he had left the (.oast. lie regretted that none of the Councillors who were fellow members when he was a Councillor, were present on the present occasion, but he was glnd to h.'ive had the opportunity of being present on such an unique occasion, and to renew litany old friendships. .Mr A. Clifton replying said it was quite a pleasure to he present, tt had been a great pleasure to him during his 16. V vears lie had sat tit the Council table and he had been Chairman for two years. He appreciated the very able service that Air Evans had given the Council, and had also extended to him personally. FTe congratulated the Council on attaining its jubilee and wished members every success in the future. Mr Janies Bark proposed the toast ol

“Local Government.” Ho paid a tribute to the splendid work of members of local bodies oil the AVest Coast. He looked upon the members of the Count! Councils as some of the finest workers for the advancement of the district gener-ill.v. Not only the Couneil. but their staff were deserving of their recognition. Air Evans had been praised that night and just/v. Tt had been pointed out that they had several monuments in the town rind if t bet remembered they would find that Mi Evans was mainlv instrumental in thenerection. The'.staff of the Council were eulogised for their excellent work. Ho asked them to rise and drink heartilv tlio toast he had proposed. Air J. K. Bo well (Chairman of the Buller County Couneil) responding thanked the proposer for the manner 1,0 bad proposed it. Tlu> Bui or Com,oil was much in the same position as the AVest land County, a shortage ol finance. The Buller one time had received much revenue fyfim the goldfields, hut now that \/as a thing "I the past, not an ounce of gold being now recovered. He fell, th.-it if would he worth while to make a strong endeavour to bring a boot a renewal ol interest in prospecting tooling _ that the whole of the, .gold in tlio district could not have been gathered up in the last fifty years. He was specially pleased to he here to-night as his father and mother had been residents of Hokitika in the early days, before they had removed to Buller, where lie Uni been horn. He was very pleased (o have had the opportunity of being present at their happy gathering and extended his host wishes for the future prosperity of Iho district. Mr G. A. Wood (Chairman of the Hokitika Harbour Hoard) also replied referring briefly to Hie position of the Board and his connection with the, Borough Council. Mr fl. M. Cottlson (Deputy-Mayor ol Hokitika) also replied to the toast. lie was <dad to Live the opportunity of saving a few words. lie congratulated the Westland County Council on atttaiti ing its golden jubilee. Ho also wished to congratulate ATr defines on being chairman on such an auspicious vear" He also wished to congratulate Vlte members of the County Council on the happv thought that Ltd resulted in the making of the presentation to their Chairman that night. He felt safe ill saying that the Westland Countv Couneil had recognised their responsibilities and had done great work m the past, fifty years. Bublie life is what the ratepayers make their representatives. The necessity <>l h.ya-i service to the connmtniiy bv public service was urged, and the hope was expressed that- these able to do _so should place themselves at the services of the community. He mentioned the gr.«d, work the County Couneil had done ill giving great access to the wonders of Franz Josef Glacier. He was shortly leaving for America, and he would take every possible opportunity in pointing out the wonders and beauties of AVestlaml in those lands. Ho again thanked them for coupling ltis name with tho toast. Air T. W. l>uff proposed the toast of "The Progress of Westland.” lie asked them to look hack and view the progress et the, East fitly years. the men of the early days had been ol a grand character, whose only means ol access was up and down the rivers. Non they It id the very fine privileges of travel as a result of the work of the early pioneers. It was for the present generation to do their utmost (o make further progress in AVeslland. With proper development he lelt that the mineral wealth ol the Coast would add greatly to their progress. 'They had a vast t imher asset and also a wonderful! seenu: asset, tbit should assist to further advance our district. rite scenic assets were unequalled and with proper attention from the Tourist Department. would greatly add to the possibilities of South Westland progressing l.ts they all wished it to do. Mr AY. J. Butler responding regretted that at the present time the timhei industry was in a somewhat retrogressive stage, partly due to the over importation of foreign timbers. He was (glad to see members of Barßiment present and hoped to have their assistance in the next session when matters affecting the timber industry would he brought before them for consideration. He thought that Westland held it bright future owing to its natural sources ol power, which m the inline will lie an immense factor on Lite Coast. The lime industry was also a certain chance for progression when mote of it was used. AD- W. 11. Chinn (member for Southern Riding) tilso responded. After referring to the slump in the timber industry the speaker dealt with the high possibilities of the flax industry and tlio urgent necessity ot providing hotter facilities for the cheap delivery of lime and fertilisers to the'land away from tho railways. Air E. A. Wells proposed the (oust

of “Tlio County Officials." A great deal had been said of the County Clerk and it was quite right and proper. He thought tho town of Hokitika was lucky in having hint -as a resident and the County Council was luckier, in having him as their County Clerk. The County Overseer, Afr AY. Atilliicr. was also

1 a splendid officer who had a very large - district to cover and the whole of tile i staff generally gave ot their best and . wero worthy officers. All' W. Milliter (County Overseer) returned thanks on behalf of the road ' stud' for the reception of the toast and for having the pleasure of being pre--1 sent at the function. During his association with the Council of 20 years there had been a great change in the general conditions. It'had been a pleasure to lie connected with the Council and the staff generally. all doing their utmost in Iho interests of the County. Mr D. J. Evans (County G’erk) returned thanks on behalf of himself and the staff and expressed pleasure that the services rendered had been appreciated. Tie had been connected with the Council for a long period of years. The time had flown and it had been la very pleasant time. He had joined the stall’ by accident. Ho bad gone into the office to act for a fortnight only, and bad remained ever since, lie hail to thank the successive Cljairmen for very great assistance that they had generally given him during his term of office. The late Mr Poddon was a member at that time but shortly after resigned, when lie became Minister of Public Works. A.t that time iho alliance of the Council was very stringent, there being six nioifths cheques in the safe that they were unable to issue owing to there being no funds. There had been no attempt at log-nf ling by members during his connection with the Council. To-day their overdraft is not a large one and was fully covered by outstanding revenue. The staff as a whole have been very loyal and he instanced the work of Overseer Milliter. Ho has been a most efficient and careful officer in every way. He was not extravagant- and does his very best to watch the expenditure. During his (Mr Evans) connection with the Council the members and he had always the most pleasant of relations. Mr Donovan was now the oddest member of the 'Council, though he did not have a continuous |

service. Alt- Clifton was also anothet member who had been an excellent memlicr in past, years. Ho was especially indebted to Air Clifton who was citunnan when after a severe illness the Council had given him leave for a holiday. He again thanked the Council for its very kindly consideration to himself. He had tried to do his duty and if he T.nd given satisfaction then he was wfj'l pleased. He had always endeavoured to do his utmost to advance the best, interests of the district. It was his birth place and anything he could do to advance Westland would always have his very best, support, lie® thanked them one and 'all for their very generous reception of the toast. M. Seddon proposed the toast. of “The Chairman.” Tt had _ been a most interesting evening to him hearinir the reminiscences of the early councillors. He had to thank the Virions ■members r>f the Council lor the <rreat assistance they had always given him The high honour that Mr delfries had attained was one that, was well deserved. Air W. Jeffries briefly rep led expressing the hope that he would be able to serve them in such a manner as to lie worthy of the same recognition in the future as they were giving to previous Chairmen that evening. Hon TT. L. Michel proposed tlie toast of “Our Hostess." and it was heartily honoured, Mrs Preston br.eflj acknowledging- , . , \ultl Lang Svno nml National An•then, brought a very succosMul .ami enjoyable function to a close at 11 P--n.